WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You recently went to Australia for a holiday. However, your return flight was delayed by a day.
Write a letter to the airline company. In your letter
Introduce yourself.
Complain about the delay
Explain the problems that is caused you
Ask for a letter of apology and/or some form of compensation.
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear….,
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Model Answer A: IELTS Band 5+
To customer Service,
I am writing to you about a last-minute delay in a flight I took with your airline last week. I was supposed to fly to Sydney from Beijing on December 12 and come back on January 28. The first part of the trip was fine, but there was a problem on the way home. After I checked in, spent all the Australian dollars I had left in the airport duty-fee shops and went to the boarding lounge, I was told I would have to spend a night in Brunei on the way home. This was scheduled to start work the next day. Since your airline was to blame for this problem, I think you really should give me something to make up for it. Actually, I think it would be fair if you gave me a free return ticket to Australia. I’ve written my contact details at the top of the page. By the way, could you please deal with this quickly? Thanks.
Regards, Tony Yu (182 words)
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Model Answer B: IELTS Brand 7+ Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing with regard to an unexpected delay in a flight I took with your airline recently. I was initially booked to leave Beijing for Sydney on the 12th of December and return on the 28th of January. The first leg of the journey was uneventful enough. However, on arrival in the boarding lounge at Kingsford Smith Airport, I was informed that my return flight would be delayed by 14 hours and that I would have to spend one night in Brunei on my way back to Taiwan. This caused considerable inconvenience, not only to myself but also to my employers, as I was due to commence work again the following day. In fact, it almost cost me my job. Given the fact that this foul-up occurred at such short notice and was entirely the fault of your airline, I feel that compensation in the form of a complimentary ticket of the same distance would be warranted. I can be contacted at the address supplied. A swift response would be greatly appreciated.
Yours Faithfully, Tony Yu,
(179 words)
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Sentence 1 IELTS 5 I am writing to you about a last-minute delay in a flight I took with your airline last week.
IELTS 6 I am writing to you regarding an unexpected delay in a flight I took with your airline recently.
IELTS 7+ I am writing with regard to an unexpected delay in a flight I took with your airline recently.
Sentence 2 IELTS 5 Originally, I booked a flight from Beijing to Sydney on December 14 and from Sydney to Beijing on January 28.
IELTS 6 Initially, I was booked to leave Beijing for Sydney on December 14 and come back on January 28.
IELTS 7+ I was initially booked to leave Beijing for Sydney on the 14th of December and return on the 28th of January.
Sentence 3 IELTS 5 Because this problem happened so suddenly and your airline was completely to blame, I think you should give me something to make up for it.
IELTS 6 Given the suddenness of the delay and the fact that your airline was entirely to blame for this foul-up, I feel that you should compensate me by giving me a free ticket of the same distance.
IELTS 7+ Given the fact that this foul-up occurred at such short notice and was entirely the fault of our airline, I feel that compensation in the form of a complimentary ticket of the same distance would be warranted.
Sentence 4 IELTS 6 You can contact me at the address I have given
IELTS 7+ I can be contacted at the address supplied Sentence 5
IELTS 6 I would greatly appreciate a quick reply.
IETLS 7+ A swift response would be greatly appreciated.
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Basic (informal) Intermediate Advanced
About (prep.) With regard to
Come back Return (v.)
Part of the trip Leg of the journey
Trip (n.) Journey (n.)
But (adv./conj.) However (adv.)
Tell (v.) Inform (v.)
Company (n.) Employers (n.)
Start (n./v.) Commence (v.)
Because (conj.) Since (conj.)
Given the fact that
Problem (n.) Foul-up
Free (adj.) Complimentary (adj.)
ACADEMIC VOCABULARY
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Answer these questions by circling A, B or C 1. Question 22 asks you to write to:
a. An acquaintance b. A stranger c. A friend 2. This letter should be:
a. Informal b. Semi-formal c. Formal
3. Which of the following is the best way to start a formal letter to someone if you do not know their name?
a. To customer service b. To whom it may concern c. Dear Sir/Madam
4. Which of the following should not be used in formal writing?
a. I feel b. I believe c. I think
5. Which of the following phrases is best in formal writing?
a. I am writing to you about…
b. I am writing with regard to…
c. I am writing this letter because I want to…
TEST YOUR COMPREHENSION
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Answer these questions by writing YES or NO
6. The question tells me what my flight dates were and where I travelled to.
7. The writer mentions the consequences of the flight delay before making his request.
8. “By the way” (see Model Answer A) is informal and should only be used in speaking.
9. “Yours faithfully” is used to sign off when you know a person’s name, but have never met him/her before.
1. B
This is not mentioned in the question, but it is unlikely that you have met the person you are writing to. In any case, you certainly do not know him/her well.
2. C
This is a serious letter to someone you do not know well.
3. C
This is the normal way to start a formal letter if you do not know the recipient’s name 4. C
“I think” is often used in speaking.
5. B 6. NO
The writer made these details up. Be creative-try making up extra detail to make your letter sound more nature.
7. YES
The writer explains the problem and its consequences and then asks for compensation.
8. YES
“By the way” is for speaking and informal writing. It is not for formal writing.
9. NO
“Yours faithfully” is a good way to sign off if you do not know the other person’s name.
CHECK YOUR ANSWER